The key conditions behind drug discovery hubs such as Boston, London, Cambridge and Basel are coming into focus, while the central question is how Japanese companies can continue to be selected as part of the global drug discovery value chain.
Japan was once a "drug discovery powerhouse" that produced approximately 30% of the world's new drugs, but it now trails the United States and China in market size and the number of new active substances. Drug discovery and development cannot be completed by a single company acting alone, and highly capable networks with hubs distributed overseas have taken shape.
This article focuses on the conditions required for Japan to continue to be selected as one component of the global drug discovery value chain. It examines the current formation of multiple drug discovery hubs in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Suzhou, alongside hubs such as Boston and the US West Coast. The central issue is how Japanese companies should contribute within this global network.
The conditions required of a drug discovery location are said to be a combination of factors including market size and the strength of its research and development collaboration network. The article points out that it is important for Japan to continue functioning as part of that network. Future developments of interest include the establishment of specific collaboration frameworks and coordination with overseas hubs.